Purification of Protein Body-I of Rice Seed and its Polypeptide Composition

Protein body type one (PB-I) was isolated and purified fromdeveloping rice grain by a combination of sucrose density gradientcentrifugation and treatment with pepsin. SDS-PAGE analysisshowed that isolated PB-I contains several polypeptide groups,the largest having an apparent molecular size of 13 kDa andtwo smaller ones of 10 kDa and 16 kDa. The 13-kDa group wasfound to be composed of two polypeptides of slightly differentmolecular sizes, 13a (larger component) and 13b (smaller component).Most of the 13a and 13b polypeptides were shown to be largelyprolamins, although there were also some salt- and alcohol-insolublepolypeptides with an apparent molecular size of 13 kDa. It wasconcluded that PB-I is the accumulation site of rice prolamin.It was further estimated that the protein amount in PB-I accountedfor about 20% of the total protein of rice endosperm. (Received March 20, 1987; Accepted September 8, 1987)     

The effect of temperature on lichen substances inRamalina subbreviuscula (Lichens)

The effect of temperature on the content of the medullary depside divaricatic acid or the hymenial depsidone salazinic acid inRamalina subbrevisuscula was examined. The higher the contents of both lichen substances, the higher the annual mean temperature of the habitat. The plants growing on dark-colored rocks contained a larger amount of these lichen substances than those growing on the light-colored rocks in the same temperature zone. Thus, the temperature on or near the surface of the rock seems to control the contents of both medullary and hymenial compounds inR. subbreviuscula as well as the content of salazinic acid inR. siliquosa (Hamada, 1982b).     

A new DNA profiling system for cell line identification for use in cell banks in Japan

Summary Using the polymorphic DNA probes, ChdTC-15, ChdTC-114, pYNH24, and λTM-18, a DNA profiling system was developed that verified identities of individual cultured cell lines collected in the Japanese cell banks, JCRB, RCB, and IFO. These highly polymorphic DNA probes include both VNTR (Variable Number of Tandem Repeats) sequences and substantial lengths of unique regions. In the mixed probe system, several distinct bands from four to eight can be used for cell line identification. These bands were widely spread in a range of molecular sizes, and were stable and reproducible under stringent conditions of Southern blot hybridization. Because the DNA profile was specific for each individual human cell line, it is useful not only to authenticate many existing cultured cell lines but also to monitor their identity during propagation in a laboratory, and to confirm newly established lines as unique.     

Adjuvant actions of polyclonal lymphocyte activators: III. Two distinct types of T-initiating adjuvant action demonstrated under different experimental conditions

We demonstrated that each of various polyclonal lymphocyte activators (PLA) exhibits two types of adjuvant action to initiate the carrier-specific helper T-cell response to otherwise nonimmunogenic antigen. Type 1 action was characterized as that to initiate the T-cell response to subcutaneous injection of soluble bovine γ-globulin (BGG), and type 2 as that to initiate the response to intravenous injection of aggregated BGG. Each of various PLA showed these two types of adjuvant action in a dissociated fashion. The capsular polysaccharide of Klebsiella pneumoniae (CPS-K) showed both types of action to the highest degrees. Lipopolysaccharide of Escherichia coli exhibited type 2 action as markedly as CPS-K, but failed to show type 1 action. Concanavalin A showed definite type 1 action, but not type 2 action. Polyadenylic-uridylic acid showed definite type 2 action, but not type 1 action. Type 1 and type 2 actions of dextran sulfate were minimal. A hypothetical view is presented to consider that type 1 adjuvant action is directed to two mutually independent sites whereas type 2 action is directed to one site.     

Isolation and some properties of copper-binding proteins found in a copper-resistant strain of yeast

Copper-binding proteins were extracted from a copper-resistantstrain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae which was obtained by repeatedsubculturing in a copper-containing medium. They were separatedinto three types through purification steps such as salt fractionation,gel filtration and preparative polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.They resembled each other in amino acid composition. Acidicamino acids, lysine, serine, glycine and half-cystine constituteda large part of the protein, with a small amount of hydrophobicamino acids. Aromatic amino acids and methionine were almostabsent. The molecular weight of the components was estimatedto be about 10,000 by Sephadex gel filtration and electrophoresison polyacrylamide gel (slope method). Absorption spectra ofthe components exhibited a broad band at 275 nm, but none inthe visible region, thus resembling that of copper-thionein.Moreover, the absorption band at 275 nm changed markedly onaddition of Ag⁺, Hg2⁺, CN^– or H₂O₂, which are well knownas thiol reagents. These components were abo produced in theparent cells, if they could grow in a copper-containing medium.Based the results of experiments using various culture conditionsand some other yeast species, a possible role of the componentsis discussed. (Received July 13, 1976; )     

Changes in serum lipoproteins during metamorphosis of the bullfrog,Rana catesbeiana

Serum lipoproteins of the bullfrog, Rana catesbeiana, were studied during metamorphosis. Adult bullfrog has essentially one lipoprotein, designated β-lipoprotein. This β-lipoprotein migrates during electrophoresis to β-globulin region and it has a low hydrated density such that it exhibits floatation in a solvent of density 1.063. On the other hand, tadpole serum has one more lipoprotein, designated as α-lipoprotein, in addition to the β-lipoprotein. The α-lipoprotein migrates to the α-globulin region in zone electrophoresis and corresponds to the so called high density lipoprotein judging from ultracentrifugal behavior. Serum α-lipoprotein disappears and β-lipoprotein content decreases during metamorphosis.     

Sulfite induces adherence of polymorphonuclear neutrophils to immobilized fibrinogen through activation of Mac-1 beta2-integrin (CD11b/CD18)

Sulfite is a major air pollutant which can cause respiratory tract inflammation characterized by an influx of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN). We have previously shown that human PMN can produce sulfite either spontaneously or in response to stimulation with lipopolysaccharide. We now demonstrate that sulfite activates PMN to adhere to immobilized fibrinogen via the beta2-integrin Mac-1 (CD11b/CD18). Mac-1 expression is not altered by treatment with this agent. Although unaffected by pertussis toxin, sulfite-triggered PMN adhesion was abrogated by pretreating cells with the membrane-impermeant sulfhydryl reagent 5,5'-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoic acid) (DTNB), a modifier of thiol groups on the cell surface. These results suggest that sulfite-induced PMN adhesion is dependent on a modification of thiols at the cell surface. Given its potent antioxidant and antimicrobial activities, sulfite may act as an endogenous mediator in host defense and/or inflammation.